NSF has identified improvement of graduate student preparedness for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce as one of its priorities. As part of this effort, a supplemental funding opportunity is available in fiscal year (FY) 2018 and FY 2019 to provide support for non-academic research internships for graduate students to support career opportunities in any sector of the U.S. economy. NSF currently invests in a number of graduate student preparedness activities and has historically encouraged principal investigators (PIs) to include such activities in research proposals to NSF. This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) describes new commitments and funding opportunities at NSF to ensure graduate students are prepared for the 21st-century STEM workforce.

The PI of an active NSF award may request supplemental funding for one or more graduate students to gain knowledge, skills and experiences that will augment his/her preparation for a successful long-term career through an internship in a non-academic setting, including the following:

Industry laboratories or industry research and development groups;

Start-ups, such as (but not limited to) those funded through the NSF's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program;

Stay connected to ideas, knowledge, and conversations within the informal STEM education and science communication fields.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (Award Nos. DRL-0638981 / DRL-1212803 / DRL-1612739). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.